Curtain stretcher frame



Jan. 23, 1934. J IS 1,944,549

CURTAIN STRETCHER FRAME Filed Sept. 20, 1953 3noentor attorney Patented Jan. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CURTAIN STRETCHER FRAME Pa., assignor t Acme Application September 20, 1933 Serial No. 690,203

3 Claims.

My invention relates to curtain stretchers, relating in particular to improvements in a device for securing the frame members or bars at their slidable abutting flush portions.

The invention has for its objects to provide a connecting member for the above purpose that will be quick acting; that will firmly secure the parts to one another; that will not mar or dent the frame members so secured, and that will permit quick adjustment of the movable members of the frame in applying the curtain thereto. Other objects will appear later.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated the application of my invention to such a frame, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of such a frame.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear view of a fragmentary part of the frame showing my improved clamping means attached and in its closed position, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same, partly in section on the line III-III of Fig. 3.

The frame, which may be of any suitable conventional form, preferably comprising the two horizontal and parallel spaced bars 1 and 2, respectively, and the spaced vertically disposed parallel bars 3 and 4.

The bar or member 2 of the frame is adjustably secured at one end to the member 3, over which it laps, for either vertical or horizontal adjustment by an ordinary clamp 6.

The main three meeting parts of the balance of the frame forming flush joints are connected by my improved fastening device especially adapted therefor.

The improved device comprises a metal strap 7 having a turned over or hook portion 8 at its one end and a reverse turned portion or abut 40 ment 9 at its opposite end. It is also provided with an opening 10 and the small outstanding flange or abutment 11 spaced from the aforesaid flange 9. It is further provided with an elongated opening 12 through which a screw 13 passes into the frame member to slidably connect the strap to the said frame member.

A strap operating cam 14 is pivotally attached to the frame baror member by a bolt 15 and is disposed between the strap flanges or abutments 8 and 11, there being a handle 16 on the cam to operate same.

The side members 3 and 4 are each provided with adjustable pivoted legs 17 to maintain the frame in its upright position.

When it is desired to adjust or set up the frame the clamp member 6 is adjusted as heretofore by operating the clamp screw thereon.

In adjusting and securing the meeting bars of the frame where my improved devices are applied to the three joints, all that is necessary is to partially rotate the cam by its handle in the one direction to adjust and disengage the end 8 of the straps with the frame bars and when adjusted to the desired position reengage same with the bars by turning the cams in the opposite direction to clamp the bars tightly in their adjusted place.

It will be readily apparent that my improved connector will save time and labor in adjustment of the frame and rigidly hold the bars thereof in place. The broad contact of the straps with the clamp bars will also hold the frame more rigid in shape than by screw clamps.

Slight modifications in details of the device may be made and be within the scope of the appended claims.

Having shown and described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a curtain stretcher frame wherein three of the bars thereof are employed in flush rela tion, the combination with one end of each of said bars of a longitudinally disposed clamping strap having a turned over clamping extremity and each slidably connected to the bar for longitudinal movement, said clamp strap adapted to 35 be flush with and extend over the surface of the companion bar with the turned over portion disposed over the outer edge thereof, and a cam lever pivotally attached to the bar at the strap and adapted to cooperate with said strap to actuate the same in clamping and unclamping.

2. In a curtain stretching frame, the combination with the end abutting bar and its abutted companion bar forming a flush joint, of clamping means comprising a strap slidably attached to the outer end of said abutting bar and extending longitudinally thereof, said strap extending beneath the abutted bar and having its terminal turned upwardly corresponding to the outer edge of said abutted bar, and a lever actuated cam pivoted to the strap carrying bar and adapted to operate said strap to cause its turned over terminal portion to tightly clamp against the companion bar edge to firmly secure said bars to one another. 1

3. In a curtain stretcher frame, the combination with the end abutting bar and its abutted companion bar both forming a flush joint, of clamping means comprising a strap slidably attached to the outer end of the said abutting bar merits, said cam adapted to actuate said strap to cause it to tightly clamp the outer edge of the companion bar to firmly secure said bars to one another.

JOHN ELLIS. 

